The spectrum of opinion on Sarah Palin runs from "exciting'' to "dangerous.''

Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, a Democrat, calls the Palin pick "dangerous.'' Palin suggests that she can break open the "cracks in the glass ceiling'' that Democrat Hillary Clinton made with her campaign for president, but Boxer suggests that voters won't simply accept any woman for a pioneering role.

That pretty much sums up the wide spectrum of reaction that might be expected today about the announcement that Palin - elected governor of Alaska two year ago and a former mayor of tiny Wasilla - will go to the Republican National Convention in Minnesota with McCain next week.

"Today, Sen. McCain made an exciting decision in choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin,'' the president said in a statement issued by the White House. "Gov. Palin is a proven reformer who is a wise steward of taxpayer dollars and champion for accountability in government.

"Gov. Palin's success is due to her dedication to principle and her roll-up-your-sleeves work ethic and serves as a wonderful example of the spirit of America,'' Bush said. "By selecting a working mother with a track record of getting things done, Sen. McCain has once again demonstrated his commitment to reforming Washington.

"Ths decision is yet another example of why the American people can trust him to make wise decisions and to confidently lead this country,'' Bush said of McCain.

Yet, as our colleague Don Frederick at Top of the Ticket notes today, the reaction from California's Democratic Party ranks is somewhat less enthusiastic:

"The vice president is a heartbeat away from becoming president, so to choose someone with not one hour's worth of experience on national issues is a dangerous choice,'' Boxer said.

"If John McCain thought that choosing Sarah Palin would attract Hillary Clinton voters, he is badly mistaken. The only similarity between her and Hillary Clinton is that they are both women. On the issues, they could not be further apart. Sen. McCain had so many other options if he wanted to put a woman on his ticket, such as Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison or Sen. Olympia Snowe -- they would have been an appropriate choice compared to this dangerous choice.

"In addition, Sarah Palin is under investigation by the Alaska state legislature, which makes this more incomprehensible.'

That legislative inquiry in Alaska involves a call that Palin's office made to the state police recommending the firing of an officer who is a brother-in-law of Palin and in a child custody dispute. Palin has maintained that she did not authorize the call and the aide who made it has been suspended.